For a debut novel, I think this was a great start. You can tell from the get go that Lauren-Giselle, Jace, and Tiana have an inseparable bond. Each of them are going through something a little different whether it’s navigating adulthood, girlhood, dating, their careers, etc. 

What I really liked about this book is how realistic it was. The characters have faults, they make mistakes, have real emotion. It makes you feel like you’re in a conversation/the moment with the characters; which in my opinion elevates the story. I do think though that the sex scenes were mostly unnecessary and did not further the plot/story in any way. I was surprised at first that there even were any.

As for the characters…

I was super frustrated with Tiana because I never condone cheating! I wish she would’ve been upfront with Keisha instead of letting things fester. I felt for Lauren because as women we so often believe the value that is placed on us by others instead of finding true value within. I was so sad for her when Deshawn leaked their private video but Trevor was there for her and that made me so happy because she was being talked about in such an awful way. Jace..poor Jace. I can relate to that heartbreak all too well. The love triangle was stressing me out for a minute there to be honest. I did like Jordan and Cameron but once Jordan didn’t feel the same amount of anger for Lauren when HIS friend was the one who did it… I didn’t like him anymore lol. Icing on the cake was him cheating - I feel validated in my opinion. #teamCameron and #teamJace you go girl!

Overall, my rating reflects my thoughts and feelings about the plot and characters. If you’re looking for a strong female friendship and personal growth story then this is for you! 

So first off, not a fan of the we are married I own you and can do what I want with you narrative.

I did get a little bit of an ick when he verbatim referenced his “morally grey side”. Sometimes booktok language should stay out of inner dialogue lol. He made a Taylor Swift reference? “We’ve entered our X in secret era”…? Ick. 

There’s also this whole thing about her not being able to remember them “consummating” their marriage because she was so drunk and him saying later on he didn’t know her well enough then to know she was black out drunk. This came from him not wanting to have sex with her when she was sleep walking on Valium (because she couldn’t consent) even though she was walking around naked and ready to go. Where was this thought process when she was drunk? 

Consent is sexy!! 

Ok, death is still a frustrating asshole. He definitely does not grovel like I thought he would but boy is he on his way there although it takes until almost the end of the book lol. 

I love faith as a character she’s so witty, funny, strong, and full of complex emotions and feelings. I appreciate how she isn’t portrayed as all badass or all soft, she’s a multifaceted woman like the rest of us. 

Death, you broody, cold mf you… for the first like 70% of the book I was frustrated with his lack of intimacy and warmth with faith but towards the end of the book we get a glimpse into his past and he has gone through some horrible things. This doesn’t excuse his behavior but it gives a reason for it. I am so excited for book 3 and to see where his character goes. He’s very complex and I hope he groooveelllsss hard for faith. Since his personality was so cold I wasn’t really a fan of all his sexual comments and jokes towards faith because they came off as cheap since she was so open to him but towards the end their banter became more loving and playful which I appreciate. 

When I tell you I CRIED at the ending. I had to sit on my couch and just cry for a minute. Ends on a major cliffhanger and I need to know what happens. I’ll be staring at a wall (queue twilight scene) until book 3 comes out. 

Read in one sitting. The tension between death and faith is 🤭 death is quite the asshole but I KNOW he’s gonna grovel/become devoted to her. He’s definitely a touch her and 💀 type for her even though he hates to admit it. Faith is a mouthy, sassy, fmc and I LOVE her. 

I have heard about this book for so long and I don’t know why I didn’t read it sooner. It can be slightly juvenile in parts but Faith is 18 so its nbd. Faith is a little too quick to fall for death and declares her love for him internally at the end of the book but again, 18, so I get it girl. 

I had no issues getting into reading it though and I have always loved books with biblical elements (demons, angels, fallen angels, etc), I just think it’s cool from a non religious readers pov (me). 

Can’t wait to read the next one (:

Cindi and Ordus were really cute and Vasz too! 

I like how Cindi’s trauma and past is explored and at first I was frustrated by Ordus because he simply did not understand why she wanted to leave or what she needed from him. It was a slow start and finally after a while Cindi found safety and peace on the island with Ordus and Vasz and realized that he is not Tommy. 

While it may seem the “mate” aspect was early on from Ordus’ pov it’s explained that he’s been waiting a long time and he was kind of manipulated into it by Dee’s magic. Either way, his devotion was impenetrable and it was clear by how he took care of Cindi and protected her (despite the rocky start). 

“She’s my favorite everything. Mate or not, I would choose her every time. There is nothing about her that doesn’t make my heart skip beats.” 

I love a nerdy shy boy who is also a gentleman!! Right off the bat, Shane is such a realistic character. Very awkward, anxious, and a major over thinker. Elle is a boss b*tch who is taken aback by Shane’s demeanor because she’s so used to people sexualizing her. Very refreshing but the bar is in hell lol. 

This takes place in the 80’s and has a magic system. What’s not to love?! 

On the flip side, I wish it was longer so the story could be more fleshed out. Since it’s a novella, I can let it slide they said I love you after only a couple weeks. I think it was done well and in a way that was cringey to me. Their story was sweet and 40 years later in the epilogue we still have Elle saying “I love you, sweet witch. I would gladly spend a thousand lifetimes with you, too.” 

GIDEON MF SHARPE THE MAN THAT YOU ARE. DELICIOUS. MOUTH WATERING. 

This world was such a fun adventure and the banter was top tier. Thank you KC for bringing us such head strong, powerful, and charismatic characters. Gideon and Rune are a true power couple. 

Their wedding scars 😩🥹

The first femmedom book I read, the dynamic was just ok which made me hesitant to read another. As my second femmedom book, this one was fantastic! Gwen and Charlie are just 😩 the intimacy between the them, the tension, the trust…. So good. Charlie is the sweetest guy and Gwen is such a good big sister and partner to Charlie. 

Some quotes that made me gnaw at the bars of my enclosure

“Try a thousand things and hate them all until you love something. And then tell me about it.”

“I was wrong. Fate didn’t bring us together. She is my fate.”

“‘Your home is beautiful,’ she says softly, not taking her eyes off the sea. She is my home. She is beautiful.”

“He makes me want to believe in soulmates.”

😩😩😩😭😭😩😩😭😩😭🥹🥹🥹